They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:16-18.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God (אלהים) says:
My Son told His disciples, including all those who would believe in Him through their word, that though His followers are in the world they are not of the world. And He prayed that I would not take you out of the world to save you but that I would keep you from evil and sanctify you in the truth. And He told you what the truth was—My Word is truth.
And He asked Me to keep you through My Name that we would be one, just as He and I are one.
Do you know what it means to be in the world but not of the world? My servant Paul understood this by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. He compared it to being an ambassador. An ambassador is in a country but he is not of that country. His true country is the country where he has his citizenship, which is his true home, but which assigned him to live in another country to represent his home country’s government in that foreign nation and to protect and offer services to those of its citizens who happen to be in that country for work or travel or for citizens of the foreign nation who wish to enter the ambassador’s country.
And this is how you should see yourself in the world. Your true citizenship is in Heaven with Me once you have received Jesus as your Lord and been born again from above by My imperishable Word. And yet I do not take you to My heavenly Kingdom the moment you are born again. I made the earth and all it contains for you and your assignment is here on the earth. And even at the end of time when I free and clean this world from the curse you have released upon the earth your assignment will still be here for I will give you all the kingdoms of the world and join My heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, with the earth and dwell among you as your God and Father forever.
I tell you that I am preparing a place for you in Heaven and yet I also tell you that you, with faithful Abraham, are heirs of the world. And all I have is yours through Christ with whom I have made you joint heirs of all that is Mine.
So how is an ambassador to conduct himself in the country where he is assigned?
First, he must stay loyal to his home country which he represents, even in the midst of a wave of unpopularity for his home country in the nation where he is stationed. And he must not begin working against his nation with the nation where he is stationed. He must not commit treason.
Second, he must conduct himself in a way where he will make the foreign nation have a very good opinion of his country. He cannot be rude and abusive to or take advantage of the people of the nation where he is assigned and think they will have a good opinion of his home country.
Third, he must rely on his home country for everything he needs and know it will be delivered to him. When trouble comes he must seek his country’s help first.
But the best part is all the special privileges he has above the nation where he is stationed that he can rely on from his home country while he is there doing his assignment.
His home country is his source and supplies for all his needs, whether they be for food (flown in by government aircraft when needed), income, bottled water, a beautiful home to stay in during his assignment, transportation, resources, office and home supplies, medical attention (to the point of sending a military transport plane to bring him home for medical treatment here should he need it), or protection and a way of escape. Plus secret agents and rescue troops will come to take him home should unrest become too high or if he be captured by enemy hands and held captive as a hostage.
And if he needs to talk to the head of his home nation, he can call directly and get through immediately. He has a direct line to the President of his nation.
And if he should die on his assignment he will not be left in the foreign nation but will be flown home to be kept there.
Do you see? You are citizens of My Kingdom though you are on assignment in the world. You can look to My Kingdom to supply all your needs according to My riches in glory in Christ Jesus. You can look to My Kingdom for your healing, your provision, your protection, your deliverance, your joy, and your very life.
I send My angelic hosts to defend you and guard you in all your ways. I never let you be tempted beyond your strength but supply you with a way out. And I make all things work together for good for those who love Me and are called according to My purposes—those who are keeping My Word and doing their assignment. I surround you with My favor as with a shield. I watch over your going in and coming out. I cover you with the shadow of My Hand and keep you as the apple of My eye. My plans for you are peace and not disaster, and a future filled with hope and good things. I turn all weapons formed against you back on your foes while you pass through their midst not only unharmed but with a rich table laden down with food in the sight of your enemies. I cause your cup to overflow.
And you have direct access to Me, to My throne of grace, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with no breaks or absences. You can come confidently to My throne at any time and obtain help and grace just as you need them. And you do not need a phone or computer to access Me immediately. I am with you. When you seek Me you find Me with you. And if you have been born again, My Spirit lives within your spirit so that you can easily access Me and hear My Word at all times forever.
And when you die, My Son told you that He comes to take you to the home He has prepared for you in Heaven. I do not leave you orphans. You will not stay in your graves. I bring you home.
And for your part, you must walk by faith and not by sight. You must walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. You must have the Spirit that comes from Me as your authority and not the spirit of the world.
To be in the world but not part of the world as an ambassador for My Kingdom, you must be sanctified in the truth of My Word, that is set apart and consecrated to My service by thinking, speaking, and doing My Word above the world’s word.
The world’s word is lust, selfishness, anger, revenge, power over others, sexual immorality, terror, fear, and greed. But the world with its seductions is passing away. It is only My Kingdom that will last forever.
Love My Word, which is truth. My Word, which is pure and sweet. My Word, which cleanses and sets you free. My Word, which is living and active. My Word, which is spirit and life.
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, My love is not in him. For My love is a pure, merciful, compassionate, love which considers others’ interests more important than its own.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from Me, the Father of light, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and its lusts; but the one who does My will. 1 John 2:15-17. And My Will is My Word, which is love. The patient kind of love that is never rude and does not remember wrongs done to it. The kind of love that forgives and forgets and seeks to do good to others, even to those who are abusive to it.
You are in the world but you are not of the world. Step apart and let My Word fill your heart and enter the narrow gate that leads to life. It is the way of self control, which is a gift of My Spirit that I give to you. My Word will clean you when you let Me enlarge your heart. I can enlarge a generous docile heart but I cannot do much with a hardened, rebellious heart.
Where is your citizenship? You can transfer it to the Kingdom of Light today if you choose to do so.
I love you. Choose life that you may live and join My Kingdom.